Growing Spring Planting Garlic

Some varieties of garlic are best planted as sets in spring to be harvested in mid to late summer. It’s a crop- easy to grow from sets and rising in popularity all the time to use in the kitchen and to grow in vegetable plots.

Starting Spring-planting GarlicChoose a sunny site and soil that is well drained. Incorporating bulky compost into the soil before planting will increase fertility and nutrient levels as well as improve the soil texture to make it more well-draining but at the same time adequately moisture-retentive.Garlics do not thrive in acid soils so adding lime is advisable to raise the pH and create a more alkaline soil.Plant cloves of garlic 15cm (6in) apart about 5-7cm (2-3in) deep and if planting in more than one row 30cm (12in) between rows. Plant cloves are little shallower in clay soils, but if the soil is nicely worked and well-textured plant at 5-10cm (2-4in). Water well.Consider growing under black polythene, which suppresses emerging weeds. Ridding weeds by hoeing later in the season may damage the bulb heads neat the surface of the soil.

Feeding Spring-planting GarlicThis depends on the soil preparation prior to planting. If you worked the soil in winter adding bulky manure to raise the nutrient levels and improve the soil texture, feed a balanced fertiliser at 25g per square meter (1 oz per square yard) just before planting and dig in.However if you are planting in clayey or un-worked soil, it pays to add a balanced fertiliser at a rate of 50-75g per square meter (2-3 oz per square yard).

Watering Spring-planting GarlicAdding bulky manure prior to planting improves the moisture-holding capacity of the soil which reduces the need to water.Only in dry spells, give growing garlic plants a good watering every two weeks, and aim water solely to the soil reducing water splashing onto the foliage. Garlic leaves are susceptible to fungal diseases which favour wet leaves.When the foliage starts to die down and wither, stop watering altogether.

Temperature for Spring-planting GarlicEnsure a sunny and, if possible, sheltered site to grow this garlic.

Harvesting and Storing Spring-planting GarlicHarvest from mid-summer to early autumn when you notice the leaves yellowing and withering, carefully lifting the bulbs with a border fork to prevent damage.Dry the bulbs off in a light, well-aired environment such as a greenhouse with open doors and vents. Allow a fornight’s drying in warm weather and a month’s drying in duller, wetter summers. Thereafter, detach and discard leaves. Store remaining bulbs in a cool, dry environment until you require them in the kitchen.